Last week my post was A Big March Mess, and thank heavens that’s over with. My blog is back up and functioning as it should, the problems I had with my house and my car are resolved, and we had a bit of rain in an otherwise super dry state. For a while, all is well in my world. Now if only it were also the same on the rest of this planet. Regardless of the many woes today and of these past few years, writers continue to write, readers continue to read, so something is going as it should.
I’ll only put up one more post this month on April 21 for Alex Cavanaugh and his new book release, so come by then and read his interview. I’m taking off until the second week of May for a road trip and some hiking. It’s time for something different, and I’m sure everyone reading this understands that feeling. What a long two years of “stay at home” this has been.
I’ll be making a guest appearance on the AtoZ with J. Lennie Dorner on April 22-the letter S-just as I scoot out the door. Hope you’ll stop in and say hi to him and to me!
As Alex always says, “Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!”
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and the hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
April 6 question - Have any of your books been made into audiobooks? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?
The awesome co-hosts for the April 6 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler,Jemima Pett,Patricia Josephine,Louise - Fundy Blue,and Kim Lajevardi!
I haven’t produced an audiobook yet, but it’s in the future, and so far the biggest issue I have is choosing the company, and then-I’m guessing-the voice actor. Others who have already done this will have some things to share, so I’ll be interested in reading what they have to say.
And now…
Amazon.com . Amazon.ca . Google Play . Barnes and Noble . Chapters
I read and reviewed this book, so I can recommend it to those who like intrigue with interesting twists and romance. Here’s my review:
Kiss of the Assassin is a story about an intelligent and beautiful girl named Marina who becomes a highly trained assassin for a high-ranking Russian official. While she kills with skill, it sickens her, and she longs to be free from her “guardian’s” control.
On one mission, she’s charged with killing Marine Sargeant Mateo Arcusa. When she saves him instead, their lives are forever intertwined. And they are destined to love each other in spite of all the obstacles life throws at them.
However, it will take years of Russian machinations, assassinations, and finally Marina’s defection for Marina and Mateo to come together, and that’s the thrill of the story. Just when you think there’s hope for her safety and their union, something or someone intercedes.
Throughout the story, you want that happy ending, but just when it seems possible, it slips through the characters’ fingers. In the end, you understand that these two must trust no one if they are to survive and share a life together.
Butler pulls off something that had to be challenging. She makes a professional killer sympathetic. You develop empathy for Marina, and you are pulling for her to succeed and find happiness.
If you like fiction set against the backdrop of Russian/CIA intrigue and the Vietnam War era, you’ll enjoy Kiss of the Assassin.
Quote of the Week: “Returning home is the most difficult part of long-distance hiking; You have grown outside the puzzle and your piece no longer fits.”
― Anonymous
Have a good trip. The quote on long distance hiking rings true. I remember coming back to school after finishing the Appalachian Trail-that fall semester I seldom stayed inside-I did most of my reading outside until the weather in Pittsburgh became frigid.
Have a great trip 🙂
All the best Jan
Enjoy the trip. It sounds like fun!
I have had getting an audio book done on my list of things to do for three years. Maybe this year! SO much to look into and think about. 🙂
Have a great trip! Congrats to Alex on the new release.
Glad things have straightened out in your world. Enjoy your getaway road trip. It sounds like a wonderful way to recharge.
Enjoy your upcoming road trip and break. We were gone for a few days and it’s taking me way longer than we were gone to catch up. I need a clone 🙂
Loved the book review, Lee. Congrats to Joylene for what sounds like a great story. Have a safe and wonderful journey, and when you return home, I’m sure you’ll make your piece of the puzzle fit. It’s in your DNA.
I am excited for you to be going on a road trip and hiking, Lee! I hope you have lots of fun. It was really healing for me to escape the Colorado cold and my home for Hawaii.
You did a great review of Joylene’s book which I read while in Hawaii. I so enjoyed it! Imagine feeling sympathetic for a professional killer! And I was truly impressed with your “Shattered,” which I finished a couple of weeks ago. On my To Do List is posting about Joylene’s and your books.
I can move forward now because I outwitted my computer and made it work ~ LOL, albeit I’m reading and writing trying to outfox my increasingly bad double vision. Enjoy your trip! May it recharge you and make your spirit soar!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I’m glad things have improved since March.
Glad you’re getting to take some time off.
Thanks for sharing Kiss of the Assassin.
I’m glad to hear your world is behaving. Hopefully the rest of the world will calm down soon too.
You are asking a lot, Elizabeth. The world just doesn’t seem to be able to get its act together.
Can I come with you? I’d like to get away for a bit for a recharge. But you’ll have to pick me up as I don’t have a car right now. ><
Stick out your thumb and I’ll stop to give you a lift. Getting out is exactly what any good doctor would prescribe.
KISS sounds very intriguing.
Glad you are getting an opportunity to get away and rejuvenate.
We’ll leave the light on for ya.
You are the best, Sandra! Good old country kindness.
C. I saw your comment in someone’s blog and had to come over to say “Hi.” I didn’t know you were also a Cali girl. We have lived in many of the same places (they shape us or make us crazy).
Glad to see you still in the blogsphere. I’m on much less as we are working around the globe.
Please be well
Mooney
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for tracking me down! It sounds as if you’re doing some globe trotting. How exciting.
Glad things are back to normal for you after weathering so much upset. So insightful of you to point out Joylene made an assassin a sympathetic character. Now that IS writing! Have a great trip.
Her characterization is one of the reason’s I enjoyed the book.
Thanks for the good wishes. I’m so excited about this trip.
Love your quote of the day. Enjoy the road trip and hiking! I’ll be taking another road trip at the end of May to Seattle to hear my son sing at his recital, and enjoy the coast for a few days.
Thanks for your book, Shattered. It’s on my TBR pile!!!
Your trip sounds wonderful…a bit of coast and some family time.
Glad you received Shattered. Hope you enjoy the story.
I know that feeling! I’ve scheduled myself for a lot of time away from home this summer too. Enjoy your adventure! I love that quote.
Congratulations to Joylene and Alex!
I think everyone’s ready for an outing to Anywhere!
Wow! This sounds power packed. Will check this out!
It’s exciting and has just the right amount of romance to entertain.
I’m secretly glad to read that so many others on IWSG have not produced audiobooks. Now I don’t feel that I’m behind everyone else! Thanks for the review of Kiss of the Assassin, too.
You are definitely not in the rear of the parade. 🙂
So sorry about your difficulties. I’m glad to hear that things have gotten sorted. Have a nice vacation.
Yes. All is in order again! Thanks. See you in a few weeks.
I enjoyed your review. No doubt the characters had their fair share of challenges.
Anna from elements of emaginette
They did, and those challenges were exciting.
Really hope you enjoy your trip and get fresh inspiration and perspectives. Four walls can really get oppressive sometimes.
Joylene’s book sounds great. Nice review.
We’ve all had the “four-wall” experience for far too long, haven’t we?
What a wonderful blog post, especially as a prelude to going away! I’ve started getting out there as well. Last week, I went to a quilters’ garage sale and was nearly in tears to see old friends and possible new projects! Thank you also for including that book review. Butler’s Kiss of the Assassin sounds like a fascinating read; it’s now on my list. Happy hiking. Hope you take a journal with you!
I hear what you’re saying about being emotional when you see people after such a long time. I was shocked at almost crying when I went to someone’s house a few weeks ago.
I think you’ll enjoy the book.
It’s wonderful you fixed all your problems. I like those moments when all is right with my world, but alas, they are only moments. Problems tend to attack us all the time, sometimes from unexpected directions. But we strive to deal with them in a timely manner, don’t we?
Enjoy your road trip.
We can only do our best, right? I do understand how everything in order is temporary, but it’s a wonderful-if fleeting-feeling of ease.
I’ve been working full time through this whole pandemic, but even I’m ready for some kind of break, such as a trip within the states. I need to get my next book launched first. That’ll be very soon.
Enjoy your time away. 🙂
As soon as you launch, you’ll heave a great sigh of relief! Hope you can get a well-deserved break.
Have fun - and happy hiking.
How I love seeing the support of the blogosphere in action. I have already seen Joylene and Alex’s books being featured in several places. And cheered. For them and for the readers.
It’s a great group of people, and I love that they’re writers.
Congrats to Joylene! Thanks for giving us a review.
Keep on walking and writing, C. Lee.
You inspire!
I enjoyed writing the review for Joylene, so I’m glad you appreciated it. I’m definitely keeping up with the walking. I’m now addicted. 🙂
I have added ‘Kiss Of The Assassin’ to my wish list, as it sounds right up my street, so thanks for a great review.
As a reader not a writer, I can only speak personally about audiobooks and I’m afraid they are just not for me. I have never enjoyed being read to, even as a child and I think I would find myself more easily distracted from the storyline, than I would be if I were to sit quietly with a printed book. I wish you every success if that is a venture you hope to pursue, as I think I am very much in the minority with my views.
I’m afraid I am also not a huge fan of science fiction books, so I shall probably miss out on your visits with Alex Cavanaugh and J. Lennie Dorner. I’ll catch you when you get back from your trip and I expect lots of great pictures! 🙂 🙂
There is definitely a difference between listening to a story and reading one. I’ve found I can only listen to one when I’m walking, and then I don’t remember it as well as I remember one I’ve read.
I’m very old-fashioned. I still prefer a paper book to a kindle. Old habits die hard.
I’ll try to bore everyone a bit with my pictures. Stay tuned.
Ok, brain fart. Did I post my comment or did I just think I posted it?
I think it’s my lovely WordPress that’s out to mess with you.
Congrats to Alex and Joylene!
Enjoy the time away and hiking! It’s the best! And a road trip is a good way to break up the stay-at-home marathon.
I haven’t taken a road time in over five years, so I’m raring to go!
Congrats to Alex and Joylene!!
It has been a long 2 years. Relax and enjoy your hiking trip!!!
I’m already packed. Eager much?
Enjoy your hiking.
Look into ACX and doing the royalty-share for an audio book.
At a recent book event, that’s what people were requesting. Hope you can arrange to get those audio books. I think they will be very popular.
I’m glad things are looking up. And enjoy your time away!!! I think we all need that these days.
-Lauren
Hi Lauren,
Yes. Getting out and about is like getting a new skin. So refreshing!
As I read through responses to this question, it’s clear that most writers are considering/already done an audio book. I guess I’ll have to think about it at some point. Sigh.
People are switching to audio a lot. I even started listening to books while I walked. It’s very different, but enjoyable.
I listen to podcasts while walking so it’s a similar thing. I really need to try one.
Thank you so much, Lee. Your review made my day. I am so grateful. I appreciate the kind words from your readers too! Happy IWSG day.
I enjoyed your book, Joylene. You did a great job on that story.
Congrats to Joylene!!
It’s been a long couple of years for sure. I hope you enjoy the scooting!
These two years seemed like ten. Now if that would also be the case for the happy years, I wouldn’t complain.
Glad your car and home issues are resolved and everything else is going well. It’s great that you are going to take a road trip. Hope you have fun.
I’m ready to go. Well, I’ve been ready since last month.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I’m happy to learn that your site is back on track, house and car problems resolved, and that you are excitedly making preps for your April getaway to the Mountain West. That Quote of the Week seems like it was written just for you, or perhaps BY you!
I enjoyed reading your review of Kiss of the Assassin. I don’t mind when an author makes you wait for the payoff. In a Romeo and Juliet tale such as this, it builds suspense and empathy for the star-crossed lovers. If the denouement is postponed indefinitely, however, the author runs the risk that the reader will give up, stop caring about the characters and lose interest. That doesn’t seem to be the case in this story.
I wish you happy trails and a safe adventure on your road trip, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
Thanks, Shady. I’m ready and really excited about taking off.
I think Joylene did exactly what was needed to make her book suspensful as well as rewarding for the reader.
Congratulations to Joylene!
Looking forward to my appearance here and sure you’ll have a grand time hiking.
See you here soon!
Hi Lee!
After the past two years of “stay at home”, I hope that you enjoy your road trip and hiking adventures. I shall follow your adventures on Facebook.
Joylene’s book sounds fantastic!
Happy IWSG Day!
Thanks for the FB support, Michelle. Always like to see your comments and your “likes.”